Hanabi Ramen and Japanese Curry — Restaurant in Burlingame

Nestled a few blocks outside of Burlingame's bustling downtown, Hanabi Ramen & Japanese Curry is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. While the surrounding area might be a bit quieter, don't let that fool you - this family-run restaurant is a busy spot for good reason!

Finding parking was a breeze, with options on the main road and in the neighborhood. However, be prepared for a potential wait, as the restaurant itself is quite small and offers limited seating. They don't have online reservations, so it's a first-come, first-served situation. We waited about 10 minutes, but the friendly staff kept us updated, and the wait was definitely worth it.

The service was fantastic throughout our entire meal. Attentive and helpful, the staff made us feel right at home. We started by sharing a plate of chicken skewers – a delicious appetizer! The chicken was incredibly tender and juicy, but the sauce was a tad heavy for my taste. Still, it was a great way to kick off the meal.

For the main course, I opted for the tonkotsu ramen with a soft-boiled egg (be sure to add this – it's not included by default!). The wait for the ramen was around 15 minutes, but let me tell you, that first slurp was pure bliss. While the broth wasn't the creamiest I've ever had, it was still rich and flavorful. The real star of the show, however, was the chashu pork. Perfectly cooked and melt-in-your-mouth tender, the sweet meat was beautifully enhanced by a touch of salty seasoning. The noodles were cooked to a perfect doneness, soft and springy with a delightful flavor.

Overall, Hanabi Ramen & Japanese Curry is a fantastic spot for a delicious Japanese dining experience. The wait and slightly limited seating might deter some, but the friendly service, flavorful food, and perfectly cooked ramen make it...

(More like 3.5 stars) I've been here two times now. It is a really small restaurant. The first time I went, I had to wait about 30 minutes for a table. This time I did not have to wait at all. Seating is really close together and the kitchen is almost next to you.

We ordered the Shoyu ramen with extra noodles and added a chicken teriyaki rice bowl, gyoza, edamame, and a california roll. I really liked that the edamame was hot and salted, and not coldly served. The california roll was uneven, with two pieces almost half the size of the rest. The gyoza was pretty good. The chicken bowl was so dry!! Even with the sauce, the chicken was extremely dry. I would not get it again. The ramen was really good, though. The extra noodles was enough to share between two people; the bowl was huge. Between 3 people, this was enough to make us really full.

I would come again if it isn't crowded. The ramen is affordable and they are fast workers. I would not recommend the chicken...

I have been to this restaurant 3 times and the first 2 did not disappoint. I ordered the tonkatsu curry with rice and for around $20 it was a steal. The pork was crispy and juicy and their curry sauce was almost as good as the ones I’ve had in Japan and Korea. Not to mention the portion was MASSIVE and I returned home with 2 boxes of leftovers (highly recommended).

The second time I went, I ordered their lunch set which is actually a really a good deal. But it was nothing too special

The third time was a great dissatisfaction for me. I ordered the Kakuni ramen. For the price, the portion is really generous. However, the noodles were overcooked and the broth was more sweet than salty, even though it was a miso based broth. The pork belly was a letdown as it was dry and tough.

Even though I think the third time was disappointing, the service there is great and I always get greeted warmly. Prices and portions are also reasonable compared to other Japanese...